Hagel and Syria - War on Terror 2

CNN - Politics: Reports on a secret memo sent by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to the Oval Office, the memo concerned Syria, "  It was a detailed analysis, crafted directly by Hagel "expressing concern about overall Syria strategy," a senior U.S. official tells CNN....It comes at a time when the Pentagon is well aware there is growing, but anonymous chatter, that some White House officials are unhappy with Hagel's performance. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus another Secretary of Defence is protecting his backside when it comes to Syria, the Oval will have to face the fact that the War in Syria and Iraq is not going well, the air strategy alone only works in the mind of President Obama.   Thus if you judge a President by his actions, one has to say President Obama has been a failure when it comes to Syria, his disaster of the  red lines speech started the process, when Obama said that if the Assad Regime used WMD it would be a red line, then did nothing when Assad used WMD gave the impression that the Oval and the US was weak.   The decision to remove ALL US troops from Iraq will be seen as a equal disaster, the removal allowed IS to take over vast areas of Iraq and become a threat to the Capital, Baghdad.    The fact that the Hagel memo leaked shows that Hagel does not want to be blamed for Syria or Iraq, loyalty costs in Washington D.C. 

IS Draws more Fighters - UN

Telegraph: Reports " Jihadists from around the world flock to fight with Isil: UN..Islamic State fighters have recruited tens of thousands of jihadists to travel to Iraq and Syria on an 'unprecedented scale' despute Western airstrikes on the region, a UN report finds  "

Lets Get Real:

In many ways IS is a bigger threat than Al Qaeda, it has developed a State structure and has its own PR departmenet, they recruite exteme Jidadists from around the World and fund their operations through the selling of black market oil.   The UN and Western Countries have to develop a plan to stop people going over to Syria and Iraq, and then stop the money, its the money that is allowing IS to have a PR department and to gain more supporters.   The NSA should tackle the IS websites and bring them down, make it harder for the IS to get its message out, the NSA has done it before when it wanted to prevent leaked secrets coming out.  The UN should Countreis should agree a naval force to prevent IS getting its oil out.   The more money IS has, the bigger the threat, the time for action is NOW by the WEST. 

Kobane Update - War on Terror 2

Guardian: " Peshmerga forces delayed in Turkey en route to fight Isis in Kobani...Reports suggest attack by Islamic State militants on Free Syrian Army has halted convoy of Iraqi Kurdish fighters  "

Lets Get Real:

The resistance in Kobane needs Western military support, as noted in the linked article there are complaints that Kobane is taking away troops from other areas in Syria.   Thus 24/7 news has been quite on the Kobane front as there is not much  movement, Turkey is still doing nothing, and Western air campaign is helping in the resistance of Kobane, its a mini Stalingrad, but there is no plan for success.  If the Oval wants the Kurds and the FSA to be the ground forces of the West Obama needs to place US/UK Special Forces in Syria to help the rebels over the next few days and weeks as to allow the West to train FSA rebels.   Otherwise the battle of Kobane could last well in to the new year. 

Israel vs, The Obama Administration - War on Terror 2

Fox News: Reports " The White House on Wednesday sought to tamp down the controversy over a magazine piece that detailed deep tensions between the U.S. and Israel – and quoted an unnamed senior Obama administration official calling the Israeli leader a “chickenshit.”  "

Lets Get Real:

The tensions between the Obama Administration and Israel is not new, THE Oval wants a two state solution, it would love to have as a legacy  a Palestinian State in place before President Obama leaves Office in 2017.    The view from Israel is that the Obama Oval wants to sell out Israel to get a nuclear deal with Iran at any price.   The article notes that the Obama Administration does not think that Israel would strike Iran without the support of the US, well Israel has hit other States in the Middle East without telling the US, Iraq in 81 and Syria in 2007.   The Israel has the Israeli lobby in the US Congress, if Israel does strike then they will get support from Democrats/Republicans in the House and Senate, any Obama sanctions would be revoked.   One gets the impression that both sides are waiting for new leaders to come along, tense time ahead then for the relationship. 

Will Secretary Kerry be fired ?- War on Terror 2

The New York Times: Reports this political attack on US Secretary of State John F. Kerry, " Mr. Kerry is vocal and forceful in internal debates, officials said, but he frequently gets out of sync with the White House in his public statements. White House officials joke that he is like the astronaut played by Sandra Bullock in the movie “Gravity,” somersaulting through space, untethered to the White House. "

Lets Get Real:

The Oval Office is looking for someone to take the blame for the disaster that is the 2nd Obama Administration when it comes to Foreign Policy.   In essence the White House is saying that Secretary Kerry is not the voice of the President of the United States.   This blog warned the Oval that is was a bad to hire Secretary Kerry, lets recall Kerry has been a Lt. Governor of his State, then a leading member of the US Senate, he was the 2004 nominee for the Democratic Party, he lost to Bush 43.  In pure political terms he is a major political player in his own right, thus it can be suggested that he follows own lead, then has to get back in line with the White House.   One can only wonder what Secretary Kerry thinks of the above remarks, if your the US Secretary of State the power you have comes form how close you are to the Oval and if you advice is taken on board.   If your seen as a lose gun, then when you argue with foreign powers they will wonder are you speaking for yourself or the Oval.   The political clock could be ticking on Secretary Kerry, the question is who will the Oval want as his next Secretary of State. 

Kobane Update - War on Terror 2

Telegraph: Reports " Isil controls half of Kobane, says rebel leader...More than half of Kobane is now in Isil hands, according to veteren rebel leader, as Kurdish Peshmerga forces arrive in a last-minute bid to defend besieged town "

Lets Get Real:

The news from Kobane does not sound good, to really go after IS the West needs trained Western troops, UK/US special forces who have seen action in IRAQ, and have done house to house combat.   The sending of FSA/Kurdish support troops has the feeling of being done at the moment, with no long term planning by the those that are sending them, it can be postulated that the Oval is waiting for the Mid Terms to be over before sending trained Western troops to Iraq and Syria.  One has to hope otherwise this is going to be a LONG WAR, well in to a new US Administration in 2017.    The IS fighters are tough, they are being paid by IS, the terror group makes money from the selling of black market oil, has that been stopped, NO, it is still going on, thus IS have millions to spend, the West needs to cut the money to IS, starve them of funds, curb their power to pay their terrorist troops.   The West has to win in Syria. 

The IS threat to US Air Strategy - War on Terror 2

The New York Times: Reports " ....Islamic State fighters in Iraq are using advanced surface-to-air missile systems that pose a serious threat to aircraft flown by Iraq and the American-led coalition. "

Lets Get Real:

The above is WHY that US and its allies need ground forces to take down IS who might have the above missile systems, a air strategy alone is doomed to failure, even if you take out IS in Syria and Iraq you need ground forces to take and hold the land, otherwise you take out one group of IS terrorists to see them replaced by other IS terrorists.    The Kobane siege and it is a siege is a classic example that you need trained forces on the ground to match the air war. IF IS can start to take out Western planes the alliance will get smaller with every successful attack on a Western plane.   Thus to prevent losing the ground war the US and its allies should send in special forces, this is the only way that the West can win, and its about winning at the end of the day. 

The Hillary Clinton FACTOR - 2016 Race

Telegraph: Reports " Hillary Clinton's 2008 supporters see a second chance to make history..Six years after their heroine lost to Barack Obama, Clinton voters gear up for a second bid for the White House in the 2016 election "

Lets Get Real:

The Hillary Clinton FACTOR is all that matters to Democrats looking for a nominee in 2016, the question is will SHE run, do Clintons run for public office, of course, its who Bill and Hillary Clinton are, without politics they would a power couple but like many others.    The next question, how badly will the Obama brand damage the Democrats, if the Clinton is the nominee they will look at the polls and use the out going POTUS is really blue States or States with a healthy African American population, if the polls are REALLY BAD for POTUS he will be spending a lot of time stuck in the White House, no one will want to be seen with him while they are running a race, even in VERY blue States.  It blog has stated if the Republicans do not nominate Jeb Bush it will support Hillary Clinton, one would expect a tougher foreign policy from Hillary, if nothing else to show she is not weak like Obama.  This is the perfect time to be a political geek. 

The 2014 Mid Terms and Another Bush Presidency - 2014/16 Race

Guardian: Reports " Republicans looking good in the Senate – and Jeb Bush for president? "

Lets Get Real:

This is not about the Republicans looking good, it is the fact that the US Voter has had enough of President Obama, as the sitting President said, elections have results, or words to that effect.  If President Obama loses the Senate and sees Democrats lose seats in the House will he hear the verdict of his population, or will go on with his ego more important than the Democratic Party and the nation, if it is a sweep and the Oval does not budge or ObamaCare or doing more in Syria and Iraq, then the Republicans should consider their options, they could close down the Government, that is risky, people on the whole like a Government to run the Country's business, so it comes down to the power of the purse, the Republicans should not give ObamaCare $1 dollar, make Obama close down the Government for his namesake.   Also if Oval does not go ALL in Iraq and Syria the Congress should impeach the President.  How would Vice - President Biden like to be President Biden, that would really unsettle the Democratic race.  ELECTIONS HAVE RESULTS.   As for Jeb Bush, that is the only candidate that this blog would support on the Republican side, its a brand name, at least Bush 43 left Iraq in a winning hand, while Obama has lost it to IS.  Can Jeb Bush be the new Ronald Reagan.

The UK Public and Afghanistan - Afghan War

BBC News: Reports " The last UK troops have left Helmand province in Afghanistan, as a poll suggests 68% of the UK public thought the campaign had not been "worthwhile". "

Lets Get Real:

The UK public are not always right, in fact they can be plain daft given the right case, on this they are right, this blog has been negative from the start when it came to Afghanistan, we have know fought four WARS in Afghanistan, and we always leave thinking we will never go back, but we do, the good points, Kabul has changed, civic business has grown, there are schools for all genders in Afghanistan, there are on the whole free elections, fair is up for debate.    On the other hand the Taliban are just around the corner, expect an increase in fighting this year, the Taliban will say it was because they fought that the West left, its good PR for them.   Lets see if the new Afghan Government can stand united, will the army fight or run like in Iraq, and what of the remaining US troops, they can expect to get fired upon more as the Taliban wants them out as they protect the new Afghanistan.   Interesting times ahead in Afghanistan. 

Syria and Iraq Update - War on Terror 2

Telegraph: Reports " West waging a 'CNN war' in Syria as Isil makes gains in Iraq

While American air strikes on the Syrian border town of Kobane play out in front of the world’s media, Isil has made territorial gains in Iraq "

Lets Get Real:

The Kobane section of the WAR is made for TV, the Western reporters can report from Turkey on the air strategy of President Obama, the reporters can not report directly from the war field as they are under threat from ISIS or IS.  It can be argued and has been that IS has made Kobane a strategic important target, the West can not afford to lose it, it would hit Western morale that in a direct fight between IS and the West it lost to IS.   The fact that IS is gaining ground in Iraq is troubling, the Iraqi Army is not ready, the Syrian Free Army being trained by the US will take months, a period of time that the West does not have, thus the call for Western troops in Syria and Iraq.   The New War on Terror 2 is going to be a long WAR, the West just has to take it time, one day there will be Western ground troops, either under President Obama or his successor. 

2014 Mid Terms and POTUS - 2016 Election

Guardian: Reports on the problems faced by President Obama, " But this year there is more than the traditional six-year itch. Crises in Ukraine, Iraq and Syria; hysteria over Ebola; and an obstructionist Republican Congress that is on pace to pass the fewest number of laws in American history, "

Lets Get Real:

The problem is in part the above, but also the fact that President Obama is NO DEAL MAKER, in the shape of LBJ, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, you must at least give the impression that you like the House and the Senate, if you want it all your own way then when you hit the skids in the polls there is no support to back you up.  President Obama was treated like the 2nd coming by some in the media, the problem is that he started to read his own press statements.   President Obama is a Chicago Pol, nothing more or less, the liberal press protected him, when they should have been scathing, only Fox News gave him a hard time, that's the only TV News that POTUS watches, he never mentions ABC, NBC, CBS or MSNBC, as they still treat him as secular God.  They are paternal racist in many respects.   Thus with POTUS at the bottom of the polls his fellow Democrats are looking after their own careers, after all Presidents only get two terms, their power wanes to nothing by the last years of their term.   Thus President Obama is out in many respects, the new play is 2016 and will any one on the Democratic side challenge Hillary Clinton for the nomination, IS there another Obama out there, there is still time for a new contender to the Crown. 

The END of the UK War in Afghanistan - Afghan War

MOD: Reports " UK Armed Forces end combat operations in Helmand, paving the way for the final transfer of security to the Afghan National Security Forces. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus some good news, the War in Afghanistan has finished for UK Forces, the cost of the War was " As at 26 April 2014, a total of 453 British forces personnel or MOD civilians have died while serving in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001.

Of these, 404 were killed as a result of hostile action.

49 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or have not yet officially been assigned a cause of death pending the outcome of an investigation. The balance of these figures may change as inquests are concluded. "  The question that must be asked was the WAR worth it, in one respect yes, the Taliban and its ally Al Qaeda were removed from power and influence, the people of Afghanistan are free, there are schools for both genders in Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan get to elect their own government.    Thus lets comes to the negative aspect, the Taliban and Al Qaeda are still in Afghanistan, they are a constant threat to the new Government in Kabul.   If we leave Afghanistan alone there is a great chance that the Taliban will take over and we will be right back to the same problems as pre 9/11.   This time the Allies have to stay and support the new regime in Kabul, the US is keeping ten thousand troops in Afghanistan, is it enough, who knows, its  a start, the UK and the US can be proud of its actions, but will it be a long term success, that is for the future. 

In The Forest of the Night - Doctor Who Review

Doctor Who News: Reports " 5.03 million viewers watched Doctor Who: In The Forest Of The Night, a share of 21.6% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial overnight figures.  "

Lets Get Real:

My school trips were never like this, yes London, No tree invasion, it would have been more fun if it had been, the Doctor Clara, Danny and his class were caught up in the latest adventure, London had been taken OVER by trees.   The episode was quite pivotal, Danny learned that Clara had not been telling him the truth, he found that she had left books to be marked. The decision by Clara to stay when the Doctor told her this was IT, the fate of mankind was to be taken up by the forest, was quite moving, the Guardian notes "  Here, there is all the brilliantly done doom-and-gloom, end-of-days, Clara-choosing-to-die-with-the-rest-of-humanity stuff. And then – D’oh! – the Doctor just remembers that actually there was no threat in the first place and the trees had sprung up to protect us from the solar flare. "   As a former Teacher this blog would advice Danny not to be act COOL, that is the last thing students want, they want structure, they want order, and NO TREE INVASION would help.  The Telegraph notes, " Peter Capaldi was a delight, too, in this episode; his irascibility with the kids feeling reminiscent of William Hartnell’s cantankerous Doctor. ".  An episode for ALL the family.   This blog is a bit of a fan of the 1st Doctor, the Original as he once said. 

Kobane Update Part 2 - War on Terror 2

Fox News: Reports " Islamic State militants battling for control of the Syrian border city of Kobani ramped up their offensive Thursday, re-taking ground west of the city where the U.S. made a crucial supply drop.. "

Lets Get Real:

The Kobani or Kobane front seems like a World War One Trench warfare, two sides in endless fighting, gaining a bit of land, but then having to give it up, at the end US entry in World War One helped break deadlock on the Western Front, it will take US ground troops to break IS in Kobane, the Kurds do not have the men or arms, they are getting air drops, but as the article notes this might not happen again and IS have retaken the land for the drops, also the Turks have been slow in allowing Kurds to cross the border as to fight IS.   One has to presume that the US has spotters on the ground, hence boots on the ground, the Kobane front needs US boots on the ground, that is the only way that Kobane can be a net plus for the Oval. 

Ottawa Update - War on Terror 2

CNN - Politics: Reports " The suspect in Wednesday's shootings in Ottawa had "connections" to jihadists in Canada who shared a radical Islamist ideology, including at least one who went overseas to fight in Syria, multiple U.S. sources told CNN on Thursday. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus there are links to the Middle East but from reports as noted in this article above the Canadian Police view the attacks of yesterday as a long wolf operation, they are the hardest to stop as there is no terror cell, so no leaks, the Internet can be held to blame in many respects, these terror groups can broadcast their hate views without any one to stop them, it is about time the West used Intelligence to close down these sites, make it harder for mad men to access such criminal views, also there needs to be more control of the Internet, close down other criminal threats, freedom, comes at a price, thus this blog is calling for more Western co-operation when it comes to Internet, the West should not be afraid to pull the plug on some sites, if it saves lives then strong government actions should be supported. 

Kobane Update - War on Terror 2

Guardian: Reports " US-led air strikes on Syria have killed more than 500 Isis and al-Nusra fighters "

Lets Get Real:

This is good news, lets hope IS sends hundreds more of its fighters to be killed, they are the lowest of the low, they have no humanity thus deserve their fate.    The IS and Al Qaeda groups are a threat to Syria, Iraq and the region.   IS has made Kobane a strategic important, thus the hundreds of its fighters have been send to take on the Kurds, who ever wins Kobane has good PR points, while the loser will have to regroup.   The Oval can not afford to lose Kobane, this close to the US Mid Term elections, thus must carry on no matter what, the Western Allies also have to worry that IS will be a bigger threat to Baghdad over the coming, days, weeks and months,  they have to be pushed back in Iraq.    

Russia vs. NATO - New Cold War 2

BBC News: Reports that " A Russian spy plane has been intercepted by Nato jets over the Baltic Sea, the alliance says, amid heightened tensions in the region.  "

Lets Get Real:

President Putin of Russia is pushing his luck, he has seen the West fold over the Crimea, a weak reaction to Russian troops in East Ukraine, he is now trying his luck with the Baltic States.   The next time Putin makes a move, and he will make a move the West has to have a strong reaction, what if tries to cause unrest in Baltic States, they ALL have minority Russian populations, what if they call to be allowed to part of a Greater Russia.   The problem of Russia in a way is more troubling that IS in Syria and Iraq, it only takes a wrong move by Putin for the World to have another Cuban Missile Crisis, and this time POTUS can not sell out a NATO member like JFK did with Turkey.   The flashpoint is coming, as sure as the Bear is a symbol of Russia, a bear is always after more food, thus the same with Russia wanting either a Greater Russia or the old USSR back. 

Kobane Update - War on Terror 2

Fox News: Reports " U.S. and Kurdish commanders are collaborating closely to ensure that the Syrian border town of Kobani does not fall to Islamic State militants.."

Lets Get Real:

Kobane has become a PR symbol for the West and the Obama Oval, it can not afford to lose it NOW, thus the bombing of IS to defend the Kurds of Kobane and of late the dropping of arms, even if some ended up in the arms of IS who made PR news with pictures of the US supplies.   The Oval needs to get ground troops in to Iraq and Syria, that is the only way that the West can win the Middle East, the Kurds are good fighters but they are up against a well supplied enemy who are brutal and are the lowest of the low.   A strong Western presence could take out IS within a few weeks, yes hard fighting, but worth it for the security of the West.  

POTUS supports Canada - War on Terror 2

The White House: Reports on the telephone call between President Obama and PM Harper of Canada, the readout is as follows, " President Obama spoke by phone with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to express the American people’s solidarity with Canada in the wake of attacks on Canadian Forces in Quebec on October 20 and in Ottawa on October 22.   President Obama condemned these outrageous attacks, and reaffirmed the close friendship and alliance between our people.  The President offered any assistance Canada needed in responding to these attacks.  Prime Minister Harper thanked the President and the two leaders discussed the assault and agreed to continue coordination between our governments moving forward. "

Lets Get Real:

It is interesting that POTUS should connect the October 20th attack with the one today, of course the Oval Office could be making the logical leap that they are connected or of course there are dots between the two.    As Canada is a member of NATO and should the two attacks be connected to IS in the Middle East it raises some interesting questions, as an attack on one is an attack on all, would Canada call on NATO to ACT, that means ground troops, and that means the USA and UK in Iraq and Syria, as this blog has stated, lets not jump to the end result without further evidence, on the other hand the West should be ready, lets see what the Police in Canada find out. 

Support for Canada - War on Terror 2

Telegraph - Canadian Terror Attack Live: Reports in its 7.02pm post the following, "  David Cameron has tweeted his solidarity with the people of Canada: "

Lets Get Real:

The intelligence networks in the West, CIA, FBI, MI6,MI5  etc have to be on their toes over the next few days, they have to see any dots that connect out there, even random dots might lead the Intelligence networks to prevent any more terror attacks.  It will be interesting to see if IS takes any credit for the attacks today, or of course it could be non Middle East related, you have to have an open mind about this case in till suspects are held and their backgrounds are gone through in detail.   It goes without saying that the UK will always support Canada, we share the same Head of State, the Queen.   Good luck to the Canadian polices forces in their search today to find the suspects of this terror attack, one can expect the Police to get their man (generic sense of the word ) 

Terror Attack in Canada - War on Terror 2

Guardian - The  Canada Terror Attack: Reports the following in its 7.02pm post from Canada, " The police also ask that witnesses and anyone with tips regarding the shooting incidents call them at 613-236-1222, ext 5493, or anonymously at 613-233-8477. "

Lets Get Real:

Lets postulate for argument sake that the above is a terror attack with connections to the Middle East, is it a planned attack with directions from IS or is it home grown terrorists who have taken lessons learned from abroad to form a native attack on Canada.  It is to early to say, the Police will need to find and capture a suspect alive, check his/her background details, go through his or her internet connections, check which pages have been seen and downloaded.   It would not surprise this blog due to the nature of the attack as in more than one shooter if there are not connections to the Middle East, but as stated its to early to say yet. 

Terror Attack in Canada - War on Terror 2

BBC News - Terror Attack in Canada Live: Reports in its 6.59 post the following, " "The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have confirmed that the soldier shot at the National War Memorial has died. One of the suspects has also been confirmed dead. "

Lets Get Real:

It is to early to say if this terror attacked in connected to the decision by Canada to attack IS in Iraq.   The case is on going and the Police are searching for other shooters.   The recent post by the BBC is the following, " Police say there is an "ongoing joint police operation and there is no one in custody at this time". It adds that Ottawa residents are "asked to stay away from the downtown area while the investigation continues."  The Canadian Government can be sure of help from the UK and the USA if its a terror attack by IS.   Lets no jump to the view that it is a Middle East connected attacks, the Canadian Police have fine reputation in getting criminals.  Lets pray there are no more deaths today. 

 L

sL

IS in Turkey, WHERE ELSE? - War on Terror 2

Telegraph: Reports " Attempted kidnap of top Syrian rebel commander inside Turkey suggests the Islamic State is operating inside this Nato country with relative impunity "

Lets Get Real:

The EU and NATO should have their intelligence bodies on the look out for IS within, as the US and its Allies carry on bombing one would not be surprised if IS tries something in the West, the terrorist group can not take on the US in the air, even if it does have planes,  thus it will look for weak spots in the West.   IS is as much of a threat as Al Qaeda, it has control of vast areas of Syria and Iraq, and is a State in may ways, that is why its a threat, it can not be allowed to control the oil of Iraq, and become a regional threat to the other States in the region, even Iran.    The only good news is that Iran and IS hate each other, on the other hand this places the West on the same page as Iran, not great.   The Middle East is a bomb that could go off at any time, lets hope we have wise leaders in the West. 

US Weapons Drop on Kobane - War on Terror 2

Guardian: Reports " Washington said the arms had been supplied by Iraqi Kurdish authorities and had been dropped near Kobani....Speaking in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Monday, US secretary of state John Kerry said the Obama administration decided to airdrop weapons and ammunitions to “valiant” Kurds because it would be “irresponsible” and “morally very difficult” not to support them. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus the US had bombed IS with the help of the Kurds, now its is dropping arms and other military equipment to help the Kurds, IN the above Secretary Kerry makes them out to be the plucky underdog, one can see the dots now, what if the Kurds of Kobane need US military presence on the ground or face losing to the IS.   This would place the Oval in real political trouble, after the red lines disaster the Oval might have not choice but to help the Kurds.  One wonders what the Turks would make of that, of course IS wants the US to place troops in Syria and Iraq, the fight would be more equal, the US would lose troops.   The US voter is not ready for that yet, it might be never ready, but that will be the end result, the US back in Iraq, in the air and ground. 

Turkey MOVES on Kobane - War on Terror 2

BBC News: Reports " In a policy reversal, Turkey is to allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to cross the Syrian border to fight Islamic State (IS) militants in Kobane. "

Lets Get Real:

The Oval must have placed a lot of pressure on Turkey to allow this, also the home politics of Turkey might have also added to this decision, there HAVE been many Kurds in Turkey who have protested that they have not been allowed to fight with their fellow Kurds.   Also Kobane has become the symbol for the Oval of the fight against IS.   As the article notes the US had dropped weapons and other equipment for the Kurds.    The Oval and its allies can not afford to see Kobane fall, there has not been that much success in the bombing of Syria and Iraq, a win of Kobane by IS would be a PR disaster.   There will be a lot more bombing of Kobane before it ends. 

Kobane Update 2 - War on Terror 2

Telegraph: Reports " Commanders returning with wounded fighters for treatment in Turkey have provided a first-hand account of the American air strikes that changed the course of the battle for the Syrian border town of Kobane "

Lets Get Real:

At least this report gives hope that the airstrikes are working, the question is how long the US and its allies will have to bomb Kobane, at what point will IS give up and allow Kobane to come back under the control of the Kurds.    The US can not bomb Kobane forever, at some point the Kurds will need to get extra troops to Kobane and the US and its allies will have to help, this means more pressure on Turkey, to  get off their backsides and help its Western allies if it ever want to get into the EU.   Lets hope Kobane is not a strategic diversion, that IS throwing their own men to death as way to divert attention as they get closer to Baghdad and taking Iraq. 

Kobane Update - War on Terror 2

Guardian: Reports " US-led air strikes against Isis in Syria 'killed 10 civilians' "

Lets Get Real:

On the Kobane front no real movement as such, IS is still in Kobane, even if reports from last week gave the impression that one more push or airstrike would force them out.   The IS are getting constant airstrikes and are still there, the above headlines is what you get when you do not have Western spotters on the ground with the Kurds.    One can see that there will more reports of the innocent being killed, that does not help the Western course, the West needs to keep Arab opinion that supports the airstrikes on its side, thus the blog is advising the Oval to get US Special Forces in to Kobane, this would limit the innocent being killed, thus limiting any success from the view of IS.    Kobane has become central to Western success, if IS takes Kobane it would control the border between Turkey and Syria.  The Turks just wait, are they afraid to fight or on holiday.   The Oval needs to place 100% pressure on Turkey to get off its backside and ACT, this is not the time to play games. 

President Obama on Ebola - Historical Record

Will Afghanistan become the " New " South Vietnam - War on Terror 2

BBC News: Reports " Hundreds of Taliban fighters have launched two deadly attacks in Afghanistan, local officials say. "

Lets Get Real:

As this blog and experts on Afghanistan have stated the Taliban will use the withdrawal of Western troops as a way to claim victory over the West, as Afghanistan rebels have done with the removal of the British Empire and the old USSR from Afghanistan.   After the majority of Western troops have left Afghanistan by the end of 2014 the Taliban and its allies will increase attacks on the new Government as a way to show that they are really in charge of the Country outside Kabul.    The US can expect that the Taliban will try to increase attacks on the US Embassy and US Personnel in Afghanistan, this is just the start of a low level war in Afghanistan, peace and Afghanistan is not something that goes together, pity the poor Afghans in the middle. 

Flatline - Doctor Who Review

Doctor Who News: Reports " 4.55 million viewers watched Flatline, according to unofficial overnight figures. "

Lets Get Real:

This was a thrilling episode, it had scares, fun and some interesting points to make about being the DOCTOR, in this episode the roles were reversed, Clara become the Doctor and the Doctor become a chat friend.   The Tardis landed but become smaller and smaller with the Doctor stuck inside and Clara outside.   Doctor Clara, the Doctor was not happy! had her own gang, those doing Community Service and a local council worker who didn't like people much, nothing new, if you have meet Council workers.   The monsters were great, they should be bought back some time in alliance with the Weeping Angels, all this review will say is that they are great, the rest would be a spoiler, they have horror, when you pass walls with paintings on them you will look harder for alien life.   The Doctor stuck in the Tardis was also great, the nod to a famous 60s show was great, and we got to see the Tardis as it really looks like, the Tardis worked!! This is another must see episode, its fantastic.   Watch and see Doctor Clara at work, a woman Doctor in a few years, Clara or Donna who would you chose? 

The FATE of Kobane - Has the Battle been WON? - The New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " Kobane still in danger and running out of ammunition, warn Kurds..Accurate US air strikes have helped halt Isil advance but "danger of massacre still exists", Kurdish fighters defending Kobane in Syria from jihadists warn "

Lets Get Real:

The fog of War is causing different impressions to be given to the fight in Kobane, in one report it looks like the Kurds have pushed IS out, then this article states they could still lose. The news agencies can not risk sending in their reporters, the murderous acts of IS has shown that reporters are as much under threat as the locals.   It seems that the Kurds are in danger of losing the fight due to the fact that they are running out of bullets, the US and its Allies should send in some arms and trainers, okay SAS and the US Special Force to give a hand to the fighters of Kobane.   The loss of Kobane would be strategic setback in political and military terms, in the political IS would control most of the border between Syria and Turkey and on the political front it would show that air power alone does not work.   That is why Kobane is VERY important. 

UK Drones to Iraq - The New War on Terror

Guardian: Reports " UK to send armed drones to assist campaign against Isis..Foreign secretary says drones will carry out surveillance over Iraq, and defence secretary says they will add to strike capability "

Lets Get Real:

As noted in previous post the air campaign seems to be working, but how long before IS change their tactics and go for more urban targets, the kind of targets that are hard for air planes or drones to attack.  One would not be that shocked if IS is already in Baghdad in large numbers but keeping their heads down before the green light to do another Tet offensive, that being an attack on the US Embassy and personnel.   This WARS will take years without ground troops,  how long before the US and Allied voters get fed up with constant war without an end in sight.   One can presume that POTUS wants to hand over the Wars in Iraq and Syria to his successor, one hell of a gift to the new President on January 20th 2017.  One has a feeling one will be writing about these Wars for years. 

IS PUSHED out of Kobane - The New War on Terror

BBC News: Reports " The Islamic State (IS) militant group has been driven out of most of the northern Syrian town of Kobane, a Kurdish commander has told the BBC. "

Lets Get Real:

This is a victory for the Kurds and for the President Obama, in the case of the Oval it comes at a good time, it has been getting a critical reaction to its handling of the Wars in Syria and Iraq from the US voter.    The question is was this a real push by IS to get Kobane?, or a distraction while it gained villages and towns in Iraq.   The US and Allied air forces will have years of this kind of operation, then we come to Baghdad, IS is getting close, will close air support really help when we come to the Capital of Iraq, it can be argued that if IS gets in to Baghdad it will take US ground troops to push them out, that is for the future, at present a success for the Oval, that should be shown in polls before the Mid Term elections. 

POTUS on Ebola, IS, Russia and European Leaders - The New War on Terror

The White House: Reports on a readout of a telephone call between POTUS and European leaders, " Today, the President participated in a video conference with his counterparts Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, President François Hollande of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy.  The group discussed the international response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, including steps that are being taken to counter the spread of the disease.  The President stressed the need for a faster and more robust international response to the Ebola epidemic, and underscored the need to increase assistance and international contributions for Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.  The leaders agreed to work together to enlist greater support from more countries and to coordinate their efforts on the ground.  President Obama made clear that the world must marshal the finances as well as the international personnel required to bend the curve of the epidemic, noting that it constitutes a human tragedy as well as a threat to international security.

On ISIL, the group reviewed coalition efforts to date in the campaign to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL in Iraq and Syria, including stemming the flow of foreign fighters and building the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces and the moderate Syrian opposition.  The President stressed that the military dimension of the campaign is just one aspect of the broader effort to counter ISIL.  He noted the importance of countering ISIL propaganda, and our ongoing efforts to put forward an affirmative vision that contrasts with ISIL’s violent and hateful ideology. The leaders also agreed that the coalition will continue to coordinate in order to counter sources of ISIL funding. 

On Ukraine, the leaders discussed the need for Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the Minsk agreements.  Additionally, they discussed efforts to work alongside international financial institutions to support Ukraine’s economy.  

The President looks forward to continuing his conversations with his counterparts. "

Lets Get Real:

As to Ebola you have more chance of getting the flu and that kills thousands every year around the World.  As for IS the air power strategy seems to be working so far in Syria, if not that much in Iraq, there is still the need for ground troops at some point, these troops have to follow on from the success of the air strikes, the West needs to gain and hold land in Syria and Iraq.  As for the Russian Bear it has gone quite, it will wake up, lets see what else the bear does, giving back Crimea would be a start and getting out of East Ukraine would help matters, not holding my breath for that.   

Obama and the IS factor in US politics - The New War on Terror

Fox News: Reports on its own poll on POTUS and IS, the poll found that " By a 57-34 percent margin, voters say Obama “waited too long” to take action against ISIS. "

Lets Get Real: 

This is a major headwind that is faced by Democrats in the Mid Term election in a few weeks, a weak President who has not dealt with a major threat to the US.   The Democrats are running as far as possible from President Obama, from reports it seems that the White House has given the candidates the green light to get some distance from the Oval.   It is a question of who has the best ground operation, in 2012 the Democrats increase the number of people voting Democrat, can they do the same in the local House and Senate races, possible but one has doubts, POTUS is not running this year, will people go out to vote for the local Democrat on the ballot, only time will tell, as of now it looks like the House is safe for the Republicans, the question is what about the Senate, still to hard to say, as we get closer to the election this blog will make a prediction, to early at the moment. 

Is the Air War winning in Syria? - The New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " US-led airstrikes kill 'hundreds' of Islamic State fighters in Kobane..Coalition airstikes on Islamic State fighters in Kobane helping push militants back from key border town "

Lets Get Real:

Some GOOD news from Kobane, even if its a tactical success in pushing IS out of Kobane, the Western voter wants to see success and fast, the increase of air attacks on IS has been a battleground success and a PR success, Obama has stated the War is in its early stages, thus there will be hundreds of more attacks on IS over the months and years.   The question is what will IS do, will they gain the ability to shoot down Western and Allies planes, they have the money to get the weapons the black market and to be trained in their use.    As of late the success of IS had seen been seen more in Iraq and Syria, while the Oval was going on abut its air plan, if the Oval can push back IS with air power alone then the strategic victory will be of benefit for POTUS and those calls for boots on the ground will be seen as hasty and not giving time for the Obama strategy to work.    The next few days will be very interesting. 

Obama and The New War on Terror

BBC News: Reports " US President Barack Obama is to hold a video conference with European leaders to discuss combating Islamic State. "

Lets Get Real:

Lets see if the European Leaders have the courage to bring up ground troops, that is the only way that IS can be taken out, the Obama Legacy does not want two wars going on at the same time, that is how Obama got the Presidency, the left wing of the Democratic Party would not be happy, the US will keep troops in Afghanistan and will be still fighting the new war on terror as POTUS leaves office in 2017.   The Oval has to get around the statement that it would not place ground troops in Syria and iraq, if Obama keeps to his word of no troops this new War could take years and cost billion of dollars and there is a chance that he US and its allies could lose.   There NEEDS to be Western ground troops in Syria and Iraq, it is that brutal and simple. 

The GROWTH of IS, - The New War on Terror

Daily Mail: Reports " The ISIS suicide rampage: Kamikaze attacks on Kobane and across Iraq as West admits airstrikes alone can't turn back terror group "

Lets Get Real:

If IS takes Kobane it will be seen as a victory for IS and its strategy, it will show the limits of air power without a buffer zone and a ground operation, the Turks have a point on the need for a buffer zone, it would allow many Syrians to go back and it would force the US to have active troops on the ground.   Thus we have the famous mission creep, it is going to happen, it is just a matter of time.  The Obama Oval and its political staff have to understand that the enemy is IS not their own military command, the Army has many good officers who still have the scars of Vietnam, they might have to be pushed in to placing troops in Syria, not the other way around.   This is crunch time, the public will not support a WAR with no victory, they will need feel that the WAR is GOOD and has a objective aim and has the support of President Obama, is President Obama ALL IN is the question, one has doubts. 

IS SELLS Women - The New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " Thousands of Yazidi women sold as sex slaves 'for theological reasons', says Isil..Article in Islamic State's English-language online magazine Dabiq not only admits selling Yazidi women into sex slavery but justifies it according to the theological rulings of early Islam "

Lets Get Real:

This blog is not normally shocked by World events, the above has shocked this blog, this is why IS has to be destroyed, they are a threat to every secular liberal system, they must be removed and destroyed, there should be NO talks as some have suggested, there can never be a kind of diplomacy with IS cowards and scum, selling women for sex is EVIL, its not a word this blog uses when it comes to current events, but this is EVIL.   The West should try and help these women, if a liberal State walks on by then what is the point of democracy.   One can only hope that the CIA and MI6 can help in some way, track the movements of these poor women, and then send in special forces to rescue them, that is what the West should do, one has doubts that the WEST will act, sad state of the WORLD.